MOTHER

[a_gentle_boy]

[action]
[It was difficult to celebrate a holiday under the effects of mind control, no matter how subtle.  So he'd postponed his plans, just a few days.  The exact date wasn't of much importance to him - they hadn't even had this day in Tazmily - but the spirit of it . . . That was what he wanted to honor.

He holds a single sunflower, the mass of roots and dirt cupped between his hands as he makes his way to a corner of the park he had sought out for this purpose.  It may be that it would be gone the next day, but . . . if he could have this for a day, that would be enough.  Enough time to sit, to think . . . to remember and to reflect.  A large insect of some sort sits atop his shoulder and chitters away curiously.  He ignores it, for the time being, and sets the flower down carefully against the grass.  He takes ahold of his trowel and begins to dig.

The work is not hard.  The hole is made before long, and gently, he lowers the flower, nestling it within the hollow.  He pats the dirt down, adjusts the leaves and petals . . . finds a rock and sets it before the golden flower.  He begins to speak aloud as he carefully scratches away.]

Little stinkbug...  You've recorded the history of my world, right?  You remember everything Leder said to us that day.  Right before we went to face Porky for the last time.  To remind us in case we forgot . . . if we forgot what it is we were fighting for.

So... I want you to record something else, too.  Is that OK?  ... Something... Something just as important.  Not in case I forget.  I couldn't ever forget.  But because . . . it's something that should always be remembered.  No matter how much time passes.  A hundred years from now, I want people to remember her name...

She saved the Nowhere Islands.  Not me and Boney, or Kumatora, or Duster.  If it weren't for her... I would have died a long time ago. 

Her name was Hinawa.  My mom.  Hinawa.

[action 2]
[Sometime later, he sits by himself in front of the rock that reads, 'HINAWA - A loving mother'.  The stinkbug is gone.  Lucas draws his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them.] 

It's been a long time.  It's better... that you're not here anymore.  All of the things that've happened since you left - not much of it was good.  I wish . . . I really wish that I don't see you again.  Because thinking about you here, going through drones and Grady and ... and giant robots and things.  It hurts a lot more thinking about that than thinking that you're happy where you are now.

Are you happy?  You and Claus . . . I'm not smart enough to understand where you might be, but if you're at home and you're watching everyone and you're worried that I'm not there . . . Please don't.  I'll be OK.  I promise.  I want you to rest.  You shouldn't have to worry about me anymore or about our world.  That's... It's all taken care of.  You've done everything you needed to.  So.  You shouldn't worry. 

And I won't worry, either.  Even if I never see you again... Even if I never see you again as long as I'm alive.  That'll be a good thing.  Because it means ... you don't have to try to protect me.  It means you can be at peace.  And . . . I'll be OK.  Because no matter how much time passes, I'll always remember.  Everything about you.  The way you smile, the way you laugh.  The way I feel when you're near me.  If I remember all of that... I'll be OK.

Things always keep on changing, no mater how much I wish they wouldn't.  I'm growing up here, without you and Dad.  I outgrew another shirt last week.  It was one I've had since I got here, so... I didn't want to throw it away.  That's silly, right?... It's hard to think that I might be here until I'm an adult, but... I think, too, that you did such a good job the first ten years that I'll be alright by myself.

No matter what.......... I'll definitely be alright.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  That's what they say here.  I love you.

((Either action/conversation can be responded to, though if you have little to no CR with Lucas, I'd prefer you not overhear the second prompt.))

Comments

[Action 2]

[has-a-name.livejournal.com]

*there's a black robed figure standing some distance away, just kind of watching and being mysterious. She's not really making much effort to hide her presence, though, and Lucas has probably seen her around in that robe enough now to recognize her*

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas, fortunately or unfortunately, is a little busy talking to a rock and a sunflower to pay much attention to his surroundings. When he is finished talking to himself, though, he sighs a little and slowly flops back on the ground, staring up at the sky through the layer of trees.

After a little bit... He doesn't get up but he calls out.]

Hi.

How long have you been there?

[has-a-name.livejournal.com]

... hello...

...

... about eight minutes and 37 seconds...

1

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[Aaron didn't mean to overhear, but now that he has he can't leave.

He waits for Lucas, letting him have his time. Just laying down and watching.]]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't notice at first, quietly murmuring to the insect as he continues to scratch words into the rock.]

She loved sunflowers. That's why I'm doing this. Everyone in Tazmily knew it. When you thought about my mom, you thought about sunflowers. ...Well. Maybe you thought me and Claus first cause there weren't any other twins in town, but.

We buried her next to her favorites.

And when I dream about her... it's always in that patch, that endless field that goes on and on. Golden flowers everywhere. Like what they talk about in church. Heaven is a field of sunflowers.

[pants-yourmove.livejournal.com]

[[He continues to lay there, listening.

That's a wonderful, and very sad picture.]]

2

[heartstar-blues.livejournal.com]

[He sees the stone and listens to Lucas. Letting him get that out before approaching.

Sitting down in the dirt beside him. Looking out at the park.]

You know, judging by you, your parents did a great job.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He's a little startled, twisting his head quickly, but he recognizes who it is soon enough. Lucas will nod slowly, uncross his legs . . . reach out and begin to pat again at the dirt surrounding the flower so his head was lowered.]

.........Thanks.

Like people say... I didn't know how lucky I was until I lost it.

[heartstar-blues.livejournal.com]

Don't think about it that way kid.

Be glad for what you had, don't be sad for what you lost.

2;

[xuffasch]

_{( Damian doesn't catch most of the conversation--only the last few seconds or so. Still, he's staring at Lucas a bit suspiciously. )}

Mother's Day, huh.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He had heard the sound of footsteps - this person probably hadn't been here long. He will glance over his shoulder quickly before returning his gaze to the flower.]

I know it's a little late, but... I think the real Mother's Day was a little hectic.

2

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

[And here's Kay, coming up beside Lucas to put a hand on his shoulder.]

I bet your mom's really proud of you, wherever she is.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will stiffen a little at the hand before nodding a little. Kay would understand, even if nobody else did.]

People used to say that to me a lot . . . I don't actually think I've ever wanted her to be proud of me.

[He smiles, a little shyly.]

I just wanted her to be near me.

2

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe will spot him, and quietly sit down next to him, giving him a sympathetic look.]

You alright?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will have been quietly contemplating the flower by then for some time. His head snaps around quickly as Crowe approaches.]

Oh! Crowe...

[There is an instinctive half-movement at an attempt to block the memorial before he realizes that would be pointless.]

I'm alright. ...Just thinking. It's a nice day to be outside . . .

[action 2]

[skyruns.livejournal.com]

[Jeff shows up near the middle, just listening to him speak. Unlike him or Ness, Jeff never knew what having a mother felt like. Once he finishes, he clears his throat and speaks.]

She would be proud of you. I'd imagine.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't recognize this person for a moment, but the voice registers soon enough. Lucas's surprised expression slowly fades as he scootches back a little and tries to stand.]

T-Thanks. I -- Um. I don't think there's too much to be proud about, but . . .

1

[foalingaround.livejournal.com]

[Rainbow Dash is doing her usual patrolling around town. Not having wings made living her a huge inconvenience, but she recognizes Lucas from before and approaches him. After all, he was friendly enough the first time and she's kind of lonely here by herself.]

Hey kid! Who ya talkin' to?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He will break off a little in the middle of his story and glance around. He seems more than a little surprised to see the pony in the middle of the park, but he smiles in a friendly enough manner.]

My friend. ...Um. He's a bug. Say hi, little bug.

[...The bug chirps and makes scratchy vocalizations.]

He says hi. ...And he wants to know how you learned Human.

1; they may have enough CR for 2 but you don't have enough 1s |D

[mute-mystic.livejournal.com]

[As the weather has gotten nicer, Silence has been spending more of his time when he's not working simply hanging around the park. The sunlight feels good on his wings, and maybe there's more to him that's similar to a butterfly than just the wings on his back. Most mystics seem to prefer dark, mysterious places...but not him.

Of course, spending awhile trapped in Omble probably helped his fondness for bright places a bit.

He spots Lucas while the boy is planting the flower, but something about his manner stops Silence from approaching immediately. Whatever he's up to, Lucas' demeanor suggests it's something of solemn importance...and, when the boy speaks aloud to his stinkbug, it quickly crystalizes the situation for Silence. Mother's Day, just a few days ago...and a boy asking his mother to be remembered. In the past tense.

Silence hesitates in the quiet after the boy finishes speaking, briefly debating whether it's his place to intrude on such a private moment at all. But he likes Lucas, and he doesn't like the thought of the boy mourning out here, alone, without Silence's offering at least some gesture of sympathy or respect. So, after a long moment, he - silently, of course - approaches.

Of course, with spring being here and the weather having warmed up, and this being the middle of the park...Silence is attracting some native butterflies. A few of these may precede him and clue Lucas in to his presence before Silence himself draws attention to it.]

Fine with me!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will sit quietly for a while after murmuring the remainder of his story to the stinkbug, setting it gently atop his knee. He notices the butterflies eventually - He even lifts his finger up and calls one over to land atop it. A short snatch of conversation passes before Lucas sends it fluttering back up into the air, then slowly turns his head in Silence's direction.]

Hi, Mr. Silence.

I guess you must look like a really big butterfly to them . . .

oh noo how did I miss this 2

[vertulpen.livejournal.com]

[By now it's getting a bit later, the sun making it's way across the sky. Netherlands might not have overheard the whole conversation, but he does see Lucas sitting by himself in the park. He wasn't riding his bike these days -- he didn't have one anymore -- but he still needed to get away from the house sometimes.

He's simply going to look down at Lucas for awhile.]

No worries!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will continue to sit quietly for a while after he's said what he's needed to say. Eventually, he will lean back, cross his arms behind his head and lie back, closing his eyes.]

I LOVE BEING LATE!! let's go with 1 there aren't enough 1s!

[bullsit.livejournal.com]

Uh, if it helps, I can try and remember that name, because I am pretty good at remembering things.

And I love late people especially AOs

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[The bug jumps straight up into the air and lands on top of Lucas's head to burrow itself under his hair; Lucas himself reacts with a gasp and a sharp turn of his head.]

A-Ah, Tavros! You . . . You scared me. Sorry. You . . . Um. I guess you heard all of that.